Proportioning device



Jan. 27, 1953 l L E. HARPER 2,626,728

PROPORTIONING DEVICE ZL/QM ATTORNEY Jan. 27, 1953 l.. E. HARPER PRoPoRTIoNING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 21, 1947 INVENTOR. yA/DUS E. HARPER A TTO/VEY Jan. 27, 1953 l.. E. HARPER 2,626,728

PROPORTIONING DEVICE INVENTOR. L YND//s E. HARPE/P A TTORNEY Patented Jan. 27, 1953 PROPORTIONING DEVICE Lyndus E. Harper, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Omega Machine Company, Providence, R. I., a corporation of Missouri Original application February 21, 1947, Serial No.

1949, Serial No. 102,549

13 Claims. 1

My invention relates to proportioning devices, and more particularly to a device for continuously accurately proportioning two materials relative to each other, including means that positively controls the fiow of one material at a desired rate and means for causing the flow of another material to automatically follow in correct proportion. 'I'his is a division of my application Serial No. 730,162, led February 21,

v194'?, on Proportioning Device.

My invention relates to proportioning devices particularly adapted for proportioning a solid material and a liquid to each other, but which can also be used for proportioning a liquid to another liquid. My invention is particularly adapted to control the operation of a valve by controlling means involving a differential mechanism which is operated by the combined action of a member actuated by a feeder and a member actuated by a liquid metering device.

While the invention disclosed herein operates a valve by controlling means operated by varations in air pressure, said controlling means may also be operated in other ways, and while the feeder is, preferably, a feeder for dry material, my invention is also adaptable for use in connection with certain feeders for liquid material.

More particularly my invention is adapted for controlling the flow of a liquid through the positioning of a valve in proportion to the feeding of a solid material or a liquid that is fed by s-uitable rotary feeding means. The rotary feeding means, whether for feeding dry material or a liquid, is capable of being adjusted for feeding at various rates. The adjustment of the feeding 4means of either the solid or the liquid material may be either automatic or manual, and in either the case of the liquid or dry material feeding means, the rate of feed of the liquid or dry material controls the position of the valve that controls the supply of liquid.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the description of the drawings proceeds. l desire to have it understood, however, that I do not intend to limit myself to theparticular details shown or described, except as defined in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of my improved controlling means for controlling the flow of a liquid in proportion to the feed of a solid or dry material by a rotary feeding means.

.- Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, showing my .improved means for controlling the position of a valve controlling the flow of a liquid relative Divided and this application July 1,

to the flow of another liq-uid supplied by rotary feeding means.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale of the differential mechanism employed in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to Fig. 3, partly broken away.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view through the diierential drive mechanism employed in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the air pressure operated means for controlling the valve, and

Fig. 7 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section, taken on the line 'I--l of Fig. 6, partly broken away.

Referring vin detail to the drawings, in Fig. l is shown dry material feeding means having a hopper 8, which is provided with an opening in the bottom thereof that leads to a partly circular chamber 9, in which a rotary feeding member I0 for dry material is provided. The rotary feeding member is mounted on a shaft Ii, which is driven from a variable speed drive l2, said variable speed drive being interposed between the motor I3 and said rotary feeding member I9. Thus the rate of feed of the dry material by the feeding member I Il will be proportional to the speed of the output shaft of the variable speed drive I2. Suitable agitating means Iffl driven through a drive mechanism including the crank disk I5 and the link I5 pivotally connected with a depending arm on said agitating means keeps the contents of the hopper agitated so as to prevent bridging over thereof and assuring a continuous feed to the rotary member Iii, the agitating means not being a part of this invention.

The output shaft of the variable speed drive is connected with a flexible shaft Il through an adjustable driving connection i8 for adjusting the predetermined ratio of dry material fed by the member I0 to the liquid supplied through liquid supply pipe I9 to the chamber 2li. The flexible shaft I'I extends to the controlling device 2I mounted on a water meter 22, through which the water passes to the pipe I9, said water passing through a valve 23 interposed in a supply line 24 that leads to the water meter 22.

The controlling device is shown more in detail in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, the same comprising a main housing 25, which is mounted on the water meter 22 in a suitable manner, ears 2t being shown as being provided for bolting the housing 25 to the water meter body 22. The water meter ordinarily is provided with a removable upper housing portion 21, in which the counting mechanism is located, and it will be noted upon reference to Fig. 3 that the housing 21 is provided with ears 28 for securing the same to the housing 25 in the same manner as it would have been -secured to the water meter had the housing not been interposed, the housing 25 having a downwardly extending flange portion 25, which seats in a suitable groove in the meter body 22 and the counting mechanism housing portion 21 having a similar depending flange 39 that seats in a groove in the upper end of the body portion 25. Said body portion also has'a pair of transversely extending Webs 3| and 32, which are provided with bearings 33 and 34 for a purpose to be described below.

The housing also hasan outwardly extending tubular projection 35, in which a sleeve 36 is mounted, which is provided with the bearings 31 and 3S for a shaft 33. The sleeve has an annular enlargement 43 thereon between which and the end portion of the tubular projection is mounted the hook flange 4| on the internally threaded sleeve 42, with which the threaded coupling member 43 engages to connect the shaft portion 44 on the exible shaft member i1 with the reduced end portion 45 of the shaft 33, so that the shafts I1 and 39 will turn in unison.

A bevel gear 46 is nxed on the shaft 39 and spaced from the inner end of the tubularmember 35 by a collar 41. Said bevel gear meshes with a large bevel ring gear 48,*which has a hub portion 49 which is free to rotate on the shaft 5D, which is mounted in the bearing 34. The shaft 5D is also mounted in the bearing 33, a collar 5| being pinned to the shaft 55 to hold the same in proper position so that the reduced end portion 52 thereof will engage with the shaft 53 of the counting mechanism. Said shaft is driven by the meter shaft 54 through a coupling at 55. 1

A gear 55 is Xed on the shaft 55 and a bevel gear 51 is free to rotate on the shaft 55,' said bevel gear 51 having a reduced extension 59 on its hub, on which the disk 59 is fixed. A ring gear 69 is fixed to the bevel gear 48 and pinions 6| that are rotatably mounted on the disk 59 on the shafts 62 mesh with the internal teeth on the ring gear 66 and with the external teeth on the gear 55. The bevel gear 51 meshes with a large bevel gear 63, which is fixed on the shaft 64, said shaft 64 being mounted in a tubular bearing portion 65 projecting inwardly, and an enlarged tubular portion 55 projecting outwardly from the housing 25.

The disk 59 will remain stationary when the shaft 5|) and the shaft -39 are rotating at the desired speed ratio, this being determined by the sizes of the various gears provided in the differential gearing and the bevel gearing above described. If the speed of the shaft 39 increases relative to the speed of the shaft 56 above that desired, then the disk-like member 55 will be rotated in one direction due to the rotation of the pinions 6| around the shaft 55, while if the speed of the shaft 59 is too great relative to that of the shaft'39rpthen the disk-like member 59 will be rotated in the opposite direction. AThis vwill cause rotation of the,` shaft in either one or the other direction,- dependent upon the relative speed of the shafts 39 and 59.

The shaft 64 has a clutch member 61 rotatably mounted thereon, Whichfhas a pair of notches 68 therein, in which the pin 69 extending through the shaft 64 is adapted to engage normally, being held in engagement therewith by the compression spring 10 bearing against the cotter pin extending through the shaft and the disk 1|, which engages with said clutch member, and which holds said clutch` member infrictional engagement with a friction washer '12 interposed between the clutch member 61 and the forwardly projecting hub 13 on the collar 14, which is rotatable on the shaft 64 but held against movement axially thereof. Said collar is fixed on the projecting hub portion 15 on the knurled knob 16 and the disk 11 is fixed on said knob 16. The disk 11 has a pin 18 projecting eccentrically therefrom for a purpose to be described below.

y The means for controlling the position of the valve 23, includes in addition to the differential means above described air operated means, shown in Figs. 6 and '1, .controlled by the position of the pin'18. .The valve 23v basa steml |4, which is connected with the diaphragm I5 K that is clamped between the members ||6,and ||1 at its edges, thus dividing the space between the members ||6 and ||1, into two chambers ||8 and 9. Resilient means, such as the coil spring |25, tends to move the valve member provided in the member 23 in one direction, which in thegfgorm Iof the invention shown in Fig. 6 is in a seating direction, and movement of ,the diaphragm l5 Ibyincrease of pressureL in the chamber H8 causes the valve to move in the opposite or in an opening direction.

The chamber ||8 has a conduit |2| connected therewith, which is connected with a 4passage |22 .in the block A|25 mounted onthe mounting plate |24, which may be part of a housing 19. The block |25 has a passage |26 extending from the passage |22 which is connected with a .passage |28 by means of a restriction or restricted orice |21. The passage .|23 is connected with a source of constant air pressure by means of the pipel23. l l,

Means for varying the pressure in the pipe |2| is provided comprising a. pipe |29 connected with the passage |22 through a suitable screwthreaded coupling |39. 'I'hepipeIZQ has a coupling |3| at the opposite end thereof,v which is connected with a screw-threaded member |32 that connects it with a valve body |33.

Said valve body |33 `has a passage |34 therein that has a tubular member |35 mounted inthe end thereof and projecting slightly beyond the end of said passage to provide a reduced portion in said passage. Said valve body further has side openings 36 to the atmosphere and has a chamber |31 therein, into ywhich said openings lead, that communicates with the tubular -member 35. A valve member |38 is mountedA inthe chamber |31 and has a projecting portion |39 thereon 'that is adapted to engage the end of thevpassage'in the member |35 or to'assume suitable positions in spaced relation thereto, to vary the amountof air passing through the member |35 andthus through the tube |29, and out through the vopenings |36. The opening` to atmosphere provided through the member |35 is of greater size than the restriction |21. It will be obvious that-the less air that can discharge through the tube |29 the greater will be the effective pressure in the chamber I8 and the further will the diaphragm l5 move in opposition to the pressure of the spring |25.

A lever 45 is mounted on -a knifeA edge fulcrum |4| provided on the plate |24 andan adjustable counterweight |42 is provided on said lever |40,

the same being longitudinally slidable on the lever |40 and being adapted to be clamped in position by means of a set screw |43. The position of the leverv |40 will determine the position of the valve |38, as said valve has a projecting pin or stem portion |44 that engages said lever. The sensitivity of the valve mechanism is determined by the spacing of the point of contact of the pin |44 with the lever relative to the fulcrum |4| and means is provided for adjusting the position of said pin |44 relative to the fulcrum.

The tubular member |29 is iiexible so that the curvature thereof can be varied to permit such adjustment. In order that such adjustment can be accomplished the valve body |33 is mounted on a flange |45 of a plate |46, which also has a flange |41 thereon that has a threaded opening therein, with which the screw-threaded member |48 engages, which is rotatable in an ear |49 provided on the plate |24, adustment thereof being obtained by means of a knurled knob |50 fixed thereto, between which and said ear a spacing nut |5| is provided, the member |48 being held against longitudinal movement relative to the ear |49 by means of the nut |5| and the nut |52, the nut |5| also serving to lock the parts in adjusted position. The plate |46 is also provided with a flange |53, with which the end of a screwthreaded member |54 having a knurled head 66 engages, that screw-threadedly engages in an opening in the bar |55 mounted on the plate |24 to provide for vertical adjustment of the valve body relative to the lever, said adjusting means also including a screw-threaded member |56 which engages with a screw-threaded opening in the bar |55, and which has a coil spring |51 mounted between the head thereof and the member |53.

The lever |40 is twisted at |58 to turn the portion |59 thereof into a plane at right angles to the body portion |40, the portion |50 of the lever |40 being mounted between a pair of stop screws |60 and |6|, which are adjust-ably mounted in posts |62 and |63 extending from the plate |24 and which are connected together by means of a bar |64 by means of screw-threaded headed members |65. A post |66 also extends from the plate |24 and has a guide opening therein for the rod |61. Said rod |61 has -a collar |68 thereon, which is fixed in position, and said rod has a screw-threaded lower end upon which the nut |69 is threaded. The lever |59 is provided with an opening therein that is larger than said rod, and a washer |1| is mounted on said rod, a coiled compression spring |12 being provided between the washer |1| and the nut |69. The compression of the spring |12 can be adjusted by means of the nut |69 so that this will overcome the weight of the valve |38 and any movement of the rod |61 will be transmitted to the lever- |40 to thus move the valve stem or pin |44 in response to the position of said lever |40. A lock nut |69' is provided to hold the parts in adjusted position.

By providing the yielding connection between the rod-like member |61 and the lever |40, any damage to the mechanism for moving the rod |61 will be avoided, should such movement of the rod |61 cause the end of the portion |59 of the lever to engage one of the stop members |60 or |6|. The position of the rod |61 is determined by means of the pin 18, which engages the collar |68, and the spring |12 also serves, to holdrthe collar |68 constantly in engagement with said pin.

It will be obvious that rotation of the member 11 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6 will raise the member |68 and thus the rod-like member, and the lever |40 will rise so as to cause the valve member |38 to approach the member |35 reducing the size of the bleed opening and thus increasing the pressure in the chamber I8, causing the valve on the stem I4 to be opened further against the action of the spring |20, thus increasing the iiow of the liquid passing through the valve 23. Rotation of the member 11 in a clockwise direction will cause the opposite movement of the lever |40 and a movement of the valve 23 in a direction to close the same further.

The position of the member 11 is determined by the differential mechanism above described. The

frictional driving connection permits the rotation of the knurled knob 16 and thus of the member 11 to locate the pin 18 in a suitable starting position to get the desired proportioning of the dry material to the liquid. After such adjustment has been made of the position of the pin 19, then it will remain in this adjusted position as long as the shafts |1 and 50 are rotated at rates that have the desired relative proportion to each other. If the speed of the shaft |1 increases relative to the speed of the shaft 50 above that to maintain this proportion, then the differential mechanism will cause the rotation of the shaft 64 in a direction to cause a counter-clockwise rotation of the disk 11, as viewed in Fig. 6, raising the member |63 and the rod-like member |61, which will increase the flow of liquid passing through the valve 23 in the manner above described. However, if the shaft |1 rotates at a rate that is less than that desired to maintain the proportion of the material fed by the rotary feeding means i0 to the amount of liquid fed to the receptacle 20 through the valve 23, then the differential mechanism will rotate the shaft 64 so as to cause a clock-wise rotation of the member 11 and the lever |40 will be moved in the opposite direction to cause the valve 23 to close further and thus adjust the rate of flow of liquid through the valve 23 to the rate of feed of dry material to the proportion desired.

By such adjustments through the differential mechanism the valve 23 will be adjusted to maintain the desired proportion of liquid to dry material until a balanced condition is achieved and there will be no movement of the shaft 64 through the differential controlling means until for some reason there is a change in proportions of the liquid and dry material being fed to the receptacle 26, whereupon the adjustment of the valve 23 in proper position to restore the proper proportion will take place in the manner above described. Thus any variation in the iiow of the liquid will cause adjustment of the valve 23 by means of the differential mechanism and the air -controlled means and any variations in the flow of the dry material will also cause such adjustment of the valve by said air controlled means to maintain the above referred to desired proportions between the liquid and dry material fed to said chamber. As a result the solution or suspension flowing from the discharge pipe 0| will be maintained constant in character. The variations in the supply of dry material may be either controlled by the automatic means comprising the variable speed device above referred to or manually, but no matter how it is controlled the amount of liquid which ows through the meter serves as one of the means for maintaining the rate of flow through the valve 23 'at the proper value to maintain the ldesired proportion -between the dry material and the liquid that is fed to the tank or container 20.

The plate |24', which may be a part of the housing 19, has an opening 82 therein, through which the clutch member 6l extends, and is mounted on the main housing 25 in any suitable manner, such as by means of rod-like members 83, which may have bores extending lengthwise thereof, through which screw-threaded headed fastening elements -84 extend, which are provided with nuts Vfor clamping the same in position on the housing 25. The posts |62, H53 and |65 are secured to the plate |24 in any suitable -inanner, as by means of screw-threaded headed fasteningrelements 88. i

`instead of feeding a dry material and liquid Ain a predetermined 'proportion vto each other and controlling the proportions of these vmaterials to each other lby such a differential controlling means as -above'described the proportion of two liquids to each other can be similarly controlled, the -fiow of the liquid through the water meter and the liquid feed by a suitable liquid feed device being maintained in a denite proportion to'each other by the proportional controlling means forming part of this invention.

Such an apparatus is illustrated in Fig. 2, in which the chamber '-20' has a liquid supply pipe 1'4" leading into the same and a liquid supply conduit 2d! also leading into the same. Liquid is supplied at -a desi-red rate to the chamber 20 through the conduit 20| by means of a rotary liquid feeding member having the buckets 202, which-are mounted to rotate with the shaft 203 and which dipinto a body of liquid in a tank 20e, the '-level'of `which is controlled by a suitable iioat Valve 265, the liquid being supplied to said tank 20d 4through a pipe 206, which leads to a pipe-201,

the outlet of which is controlled by said float valve. The buckets 2332 empty into rvdischarge `members or vlips 288, which are located externally of the tank `r2521i in'achamber 209 so that `when the buckets 262 pass to the upper side of the spiderlike member, formed thereby, during their rotation, the liquid will flow toward lthe shaft 233 into the discharge members 2&8, which discharge their contents `into the chamber 2539 from which the contents of the discharge members 208 pass linto the conduit 255| and into the chamber 20.

'fhe rotatable liquid vfeeding member made up of the buckets 202 and discharge members 2%8 lis rotated by means of the motor 2|0 through a varia-ble speed drive 2 III, the speed of which may be controlled manually or in any other suitable manner, the output shaft of the variable speed drive 2li driving the shaft 2703 of the rotatable liquid feeding member, and the nexible shaftl'l being connected with said output shaft of Athe variable speed drive fdevice2| through an adjustable driving connection v2|'2, Vwhereby the ratio of feed'of liquids through pipes i4' and 20| may be'adju's'ted. YThe shaft Il is connected with the differential controlling vdevice in the same lmanner as'th'e shaft |,the controlling device 2i vided in the liquid conduit 24 is the same as that previously -described comprising the differential mechanism shown in Figs. v3 and 4 and the air actuated controlling means-for said valve shown `in Figs. 6 and 7, the same reference numerals being applied to the corresponding parts in Fig. 2 as in Fig. 1. The discharge of the resulting product from the mixture of the two liquids in the chamber 20' is through the discharge pipe 8| corresponding to the discharge pipe 8| .previously described.

The operation 'of the device shown in Fig. 2 is analogous to that of the device shown in Fig. 1, in that any change in the rate of feed of the liquid coming from the pipe 206 through the rotary feeding member, through the conduit 20|, to the chamber 20 due to change in speed of the variable speed device 2|| will correspondingly change the speed of the flexible shaft I1' and adjust the differential control device to adjust the valve 23 so that the same proportion 'of liquid passing through the pipe I4' relative to that passing 'through the conduit 20| into the chamber 20 will be maintained as was the case -prior to the change in speed of the variable speed device 2| I. Similarly any change .in rate of flow through the water meter 22 will adjust the variable speed device so as to adjust the valve 23 to maintain the proper proportion between the liquid supply through the pipe I4 and the fconduit 20|.

In both forms of the invention Athe adjustment of the proportions can be varied by adjusting the variable speed driving connection between the exible shaft |'l or I1 and the outputshaft of the variable speed drive, or by the manual controlling means 16, as the case may be.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a receptacle, of means for feeding material to said receptacle at a variable rate comprising a rotatable feeding member, means for rotating said feeding member at a variable rate, said feeding member feeding said material at a rate proportional to its rate of rotation, means for supplying a liquid to said receptacle comprising a conduit leading to said receptacle, a valve controlling the flow of liquid through said conduit, and means controlling the position of said valve to maintain a predetermined proportion between said material and said liquid comprising a member rotating withsaid feeding member, a member rotated by the liquid passing through said conduit to rotate at a rate proportional to the rate of ow of liquid therethrough, differential means connecting said last mentioned members and `a valve positioning member actuated by said differential means.

2. The combination with a receptacle, of rotatable means for feeding a material tosaid'receptacle, means for `varying the rateof feed of `said material comprising means for varying the rate of rotation of said rotatable feeding means, means for supplying a liquid to 'said receptacle comprising a conduit leading Ato 'said receptacle, a valve controlling the now of liquid throughfsaid conduit, and means controlling 'the position of `said valve to maintain a predetermined proportion between said material and said liquid comprising a member rotating With said feeding means proportional to the rate Yof feed thereof, a vmember rotated independently of the member rotating with said feeding means by the liquid passing'through said conduit to rotate at a rate proportional to the rate of flow of liquid therethrough, differential -means connecting said last mentioned membersand ar positioning member for said valve actuated 'by said differential means.

-3. The combination -with la receptacle, of

at a variable rate. means for supplying a liquid to said receptacle comprising a conduit leading to said receptacle, avalve controlling the ow of liquid through said conduit, and air pressure actuated means controlling the position of said valve to maintain apredetermined proportion between said material and said liquid comprising a member rotating with said feeding means proportional to the rate of feed thereof, a member rotated independently of the member rotating with said feeding means by the liquid passing through said conduit to rotate at a rate proportional to the rate of flow of liquid therethrough, differential means connecting said last mentioned members, a member adjustable to vary the air pressure acting on said controlling means actuated by said differential means, and means for adjusting said proportion interposed between said differential means and said adjustable member comprising a friction clutch.

4. The combination with a receptacle, of means for feeding a material to said receptacle comprising a rotary dry material feeding member over said receptacle discharging directly into said receptacle, means for varying the rate of rotation thereof to vary the rate of feed of said dry material into said receptacle, means for supplying a liquid to said receptacle comprising a conduit leading to said receptacle, a valve controlling the flow of liquid through said conduit, and means controlling the position of said valve to maintain a predetermined proportion between said dry material and said liquid comprising a member rotating with said rotary feeding means proportional to the rate of rotation thereof, a member rotated independently of the vmember rotating with said feeding means by the liquid passing through said conduit to rotate at a rate proportional to the rate of flow of liquid therethrough,

differential means connecting said last mentioned members and a positioning member for said valve actuated by said differential means.

5. The combination with a receptacle, of rotary means for feeding a material to said receptacle at a variable rate, means for supplying a liquid to said receptacle comprising a conduit leading to said receptacle, a valve controlling the flow of liquid through said conduit, and air pressure actuated means controlling the position of said valve to maintain a predetermined proportion between said material and said liquid comprising a member rotating with said feeding means proportional to the rate of feed thereof, a member rotated independently of the member rotating with said feeding means by the liquid passing through said conduit to rotate at a rate proportional to the rate of flow of liquid therethrough, differential means connecting said last mentioned members, a member adjustable to vary the air pressure acting on said controlling means actuated by said differential means, and means for adjusting said proportion interposed between said differential means and said adjustable member comprising a friction clutch.

6. The combination with a receptacle, of rotary means for feeding a dry material to said receptacle at a variable rate, means for supplying a liquid to said receptacle comprising a conduit leading to said receptacle, a valve controlling the flow of liquid through said conduit, and air pressure actuated means controlling the position of said valve to maintain a predetermined proportion between said material and said liquid comprising a memberV rotating with said feeding means proportional to the rate of feed thereof,

a member rotated 'by the liquid passing through said conduit to rotate at a rate proportional to the rate of flow of liquid therethrough, differential means connecting said last mentioned members and a member adjustable to vary the air pressure acting on said controlling means actuated by said differential means.

'7. The combination with a receptacle, of rotary means for feeding a liquid to said receptacle at a variable rate, means for supplying a second liquid to said receptacle comprising a conduit leading to said receptacle, a valve controlling the now of liquid through said conduit, and air pressure actuated means controlling the position of said valve to maintain a predetermined proportion between said liquids comprising a member rotating with said feeding means proportional to 'the rate of feed thereof, a member rotated by the liquid passing through said conduit to rotate at a rate proportional to the rate of iiow of liquid therethrough, differential means connecting said last mentioned members and a member adjustable to vary the air pressure acting on said controlling means actuated by said differential means.

8. A device for maintaining a predetermined proportion between the rate of supply'of a liquid and another material comprising a liquid line, a valve controlling flow through said line, a meter measuring flow through said line, a device for controlling the position of said valve comprising a differential mechanism having a part driven in proportion to the rate of supply of said material, a part independently driven by said meter, and a member movable by said differential mechanism only upon said rates of supply becoming out of said predetermined proportion, said member being movable in opposite directions, and air pressure actuated means to adjust the position of said valve, comprising a diaphragm chamber, and means for Varying `the pressure in said diaphragm chamber, comprising a constant pressure air supply, a bleed valve connected with said supply, and means actuated by said member movable by said differential'mechanism to control the position of said bleed valve.

9. A device for maintaining a predetermined proportion between the rate of supply of a liquid and another material comprising a liquid line, a valve controlling flow through said line, a meter measuring flow through said line, a device for controlling the position of said valve comprising a differential mechanism having a part driven in proportion to the rate of supply of said material, a part driven by said meter, and a member movable by said differential mechanism only upon said rates of supply becoming out of said predetermined proportion, said member being movable in Opposite directions, and air pressure actuated means to adjust the position of said valve, comprising a diaphragm chamber, and means for varying the pressure in said diaphragm chamber actuated by said member movable by said differential mechanism, comprising a conduit connecting said diaphragm chamber with a source of constant pressure having a restricted portion, a conduit leading from a bleed opening to a point between said chamber and restricted portion and means for adjusting the effective size of said bleed opening actuated by the member movable in opposite directions.

10. A device for maintaining a predetermined proportion between the rate of supply of a liquid and another material comprising a liquid line, a valve controlling flow through said line, a meter measuring flow through said line, a device for controlling the position of said valve comprising a differential mechanism having a part driven in proportion to the rate of supply of said material, a part driven by said meter, and a member movable by said differential mechanism only upon said rates of supply becoming out of said predetermined proportion, said member being movable in opposite directions, and air pressure actuated means to adjust the position of said valve, comprising a diaphragm chamber, and means for varying the pressure in said diaphragm chamber actuated by said member movable by said differential mechanism, comprising a conduit connecting said diaphragm chamber with a source of constant pressure having a restricted portion, a conduit leading from a bleed opening to a point between said chamber and said restricted portion, and means for adjusting the effective size of said bleed opening comprising a valve member, a lever engaging said valve member to hold the same in adjusted position, and means for adjusting the position of said lever actuated by the member movable in opposite directions.

11. A device for maintaining a predetermined proportion between the rate of supply of a liquid and another material comprising a liquid line, a valve controlling flow through said line, a meter measuring flow through said line, a device for controlling the position of said valve comprising a differential mechanism having a part driven in proportion to the rate of supply of said material, a part driven by said meter, and a member movable by said differential mechanism only upon said rates of supply becoming out of said predetermined proportion, said member being movable in opposite directions, and air pressure actuated means to adjust the position of said valve, comprising a diaphragm chamber, and means for varying the pressure in said diaphragm chamber actuated by said member movable by said differential mechanism, comprising a fluid conduit connected with said diaphragm chamber having a bleed opening, and means for adjusting the effective size of said bleed opening comprising a valve member, a lever engaging said valve member to hold said valve member in adjusted position, and means for adjusting the position of said lever, comprising a rod connected with said lever to determine the position thereof, and means for adjusting the position of said rod comprising a lateral projection on said rod and means engaging said projection actuated by the member movable in opposite directions,

l2. The combination with a receptacle, of rotary means for feeding a material to said receptacle, means for varying the rate of feed of said material, means for supplying a liquid to said receptacle comprising a conduit leading to said receptacle, a valve controlling the flow of liquid through said conduit, and means controlling the position of said valve to maintain a predetermined proportion between said material and said liquid comprising a member rotating with said feeding means proportional tothe rate of feed thereof, a member rotated bythe liquid passing through said conduit to rotate at a. rate proportional to the rate of flow of liquid therethrough, differential means connecting said last mentioned members and a valveV positioning member actuated by said differential means, including a friction clutch device between said valve positioning member and said differential means, and means for manually adjusting said friction clutch device to adjust said controlling means independently of said differential mechanism.

13. A device for maintaining a predetermined proportion between the rate of supply of a liquid and another material comprising a liquid line, a valve controlling flow through said line, a meter measuring flow through said line, a device for controlling the position of said valve comprising a differential mechanism having a part driven in proportion to the rate of supply of said material, a part driven by saidV meter, and a member movable by said differential mechanism only upon said rates of supply becoming out of said predetermined proportions, said member being movable in oppposite directions, and air pressure actuated means to adjust the position of said valve, comprising means for varying said air pressure actuated by said member movable by said differential mechanism, having a bleed opening, and means for adjusting the effective size of said bleed opening, comprising a valve member, a lever engaging said valve member to hold said valve member in adjusted position, means for adjusting the relative spacing of the fulcrum of said lever and the point of engagement of said valve member with said lever, and means for adjusting the position of said lever actuated by the member movable in opposite directions.

LYNDUS E. HARPER,

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